Darkness Visible #6
Mike Carey & Arvind Ethan David (w) • Livio Ramondelli (a & c)
When the demons came, humanity reluctantly learned to share the world with another sentient race. Eighty years later, this uneasy co-existence has spawned an endless terrorist conflict. This special issue, with guest artist Livio Ramondelli, reveals the secret backstory of forensic scientist Glory Kullinek.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Transformers: Salvation
John Barber (w) • Livio Ramondelli (a & c)
Exiled from civilization, the Dinobots are the last line of defense against the ultimate Cybertronian dinosaur—Trypticon! But how much are the Dinobots willing to sacrifice for a world that hates them?
FC • 48 pages • $7.99
Darkness Visible #3
Mike Carey & Arvind Ethan David (w) • Livio Ramondelli (a & c)
When the demons came, humanity reluctantly learned to share the world with another sentient race. Eighty years later, this uneasy co-existence has spawned an endless terrorist conflict. This special issue, with guest artist Livio Ramondelli, reveals just how that compact was forged during the darkest days of World War II.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
As announced on the IDW Publishing panel at New York Comic Con, bestselling author and screenwriter Mike Carey and writer and producer Arvind Ethan David will collaborate on an all-new, original world of darkness and demons – Darkness Visible. Co-writers Carey and David will be joined by Brendan Cahill and Livio Ramondelli on art.
Darkness Visible introduces readers to a world where in the mid 20th Century, Demons came out of the shadows. 75 years of uneasy co-existence has spawned an endless terrorist conflict. Detective Daniel Aston, charged with being the thin blue line between the two sides, is tested to the limit when a demon sets up house inside his soul. But to save his daughter, he’ll pay any price—including genocide.
Let your inner demon out this February when Darkness Visible comes to light.
Transformers: IDW Collection Phase Two, Vol. 4
Chris Metzen, Flint Dille, John Barber, James Roberts (w) • Livio Ramondelli, Andrew Griffith, Alex Milne, Agustin Padilla, Atilio Rojo (a) • Marcelo Matere (c)
In the early days of the war on Cybertron, two leaders start down their paths towards destiny. Meanwhile, on current day Cybertron, Megatron is back! Everything Bumblebee and his Autobots have built teeters on the edge of collapse–and Starscream has to make the choice his whole life has been leading to. On the Lost Light, a secret prisoner is confined in the bowels of the ship. Collects the Monstrosity mini-series, Robots in Disguise #12–18, and More Than Meets the Eye #14–16.
HC • FC • $49.99 • 356 pages • 7” x 11” • ISBN: 978-1-63140-715-4
Transformers, Vol. 10
John Barber (w) • Andrew Griffith, Livio Ramondelli (a) • Casey W. Coller (c)
ALL HAIL OPTIMUS! Backed by an army of zealous followers, OPTIMUS PRIME declares Earth to be a part of CYBERTRON’S Council of Worlds—but the DECEPTICONS and the people of Earth won’t take it lying down! Collects issues #50–55.
TPB • FC • $19.99 • 152 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-748-2
Transformers #56
John Barber (w) • Livio Ramondelli (a & c)
TITANS RETURN! Following the literally-Earth-shattering events of last issue… OPTIMUS PRIME establishes a new base of operations—AUTOBOT CITY! Its first visitor: a newly-revived SENTINEL PRIME, who sees a potential ally in OPTIMUS.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Transformers: Titans Return One-shot
Mairghread Scott, James Roberts, John Barber (w) • Livio Ramondelli (a & c)
THE LAST AUTOBOT! Once he ruled CYBERTRON with a brutal (and literal) iron fist… left for dead four million years ago, SENTINEL PRIME is back. But in a world where STARSCREAM rules CYBERTON, OPTIMUS PRIME has invaded Earth, and MEGATRON is an AUTOBOT—SENTINEL doesn’t like what he sees!
FC • 40 pages • $4.99
Transformers #52
John Barber (w) • Livio Ramondelli (a) Andrew Griffith (c)
ALL HAIL OPTIMUS part 3! OPTIMUS PRIME has declared the Earth to be his territory… but even he can’t go it alone. Now he reaches out across the galaxy to form a coalition—of old friends and older enemies.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
INTO THE WILD! The Dinobots engaged in some of the most brutal missions of the war—which made them damaged goods in the peace. Now, a mission to change the face of Cybertron offers a chance for something they never imagined… redemption.
Transformers: Redemption reminds us numerous times it was the Dinobots who did the dirty work during the war. Well, the war is over, and they have regrets over their actions, and are still trying to come to grips with who they are, and what they did. The oversized issue written by John Barber spins out of an interesting scene from Transformers #46 and ties into other events coming soon. It’s also a hell of a look and questions what a soldiers supposed to do when the war is over. Especially a soldier who has atrocities and blood on their hands. The issue touches on a bit of PTSD the Dinobots are experiencing, and in doing so ads so much depth to the characters.
There are some aspects of the story I hope we see more of, but I don’t want to say what since I feel like it’s a spoiler, and it was cool being surprised by these elements. It also more formally introduces us to some new Transformers I’m pretty sure we will be seeing more of.
Livio Ramondelli‘s art is generally nice. I’ve liked his style in the various Transformers work he does. My issue though is the art is very dark, and I read it on my iPad. I’m not sure if it’s an issue with my settings/iPad/tablets/digital, but at times it’s hard to make out what’s going on. Generally, the art is amazing and just beyond awe inspiring.
The Dinobots allowed the heroes to remain heroes, and this story adds depth to the characters that makes you question if they’re heroes too.
Story: John Barber Art: Livio Ramondelli
Story: 9 Art: 8 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy
IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
